Tire Shop says "you need a 4 wheel alignment" Is This Correct ???

**WhiteXC70** · 05-12-2010, 05:08 PM

Hi,

I am looking in to replacing the Pirelli Scopions with new ones. Tire guy says that it is standard to do a 4 wheel alignment on the Volvo wagons because it is AWD. Does this sound right or are they just trying to sell me an $89 extra bs....

Let me know if you have any favorite tire options right now. The Pirelli 215/60/17 are running around $125++ and higher. I need a good all season for new england weather. (does anyone know if you can bargain the price with tire rack ??? or will they give you a hard time????).

**n00bkiller944** · 05-12-2010, 05:27 PM

Why would you try to bargain with tire rack? they have the best prices I have seen anywhere. I really am not a fan of Pirelli's and am currently running firestone firehawk gt's and would recommend them to anyone! Plus you can't beat like 73 bucks per tire

**billr99** · 05-12-2010, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by WhiteXC70

Hi,

I am looking in to replacing the Pirelli Scopions with new ones. Tire guy says that it is standard to do a 4 wheel alignment on the Volvo wagons because it is AWD. Does this sound right or are they just trying to sell me an $89 extra bs....

Let me know if you have any favorite tire options right now. The Pirelli 215/60/17 are running around $125++ and higher. I need a good all season for new england weather. (does anyone know if you can bargain the price with tire rack ??? or will they give you a hard time????).

Under normal circumstances only front toe is adjustable from the factory. With that said though, it wouldn't hurt to have all four corners checked occasionally. In the front, there is enough slop in the strut mounting points that you could get the camber out by a degree or so. As far as caster, the only thing I know of that would affect it would be a part badly worn or bent. In the rear only the slop in the mounting points can be used to adjust toe, caster or camber that might be affected by wear or damage.

So assuming that nothing is bent, worn too bad or you haven't lower the car, a 4 wd alignment would basically check for misadjustment due to slop in the mounting points which should be able to be adjusted out. If anything is outside of that ability, then you are probably looking at replacing a part or two. As a note, I do my own toe and camber checks using the string method and even after lowering my XC I found the rear setting to be right in the spec range. The rear camber was right on the line as far as being negative but that was OK because it allowed the rear to stick a bit better. In the front, I have been able to just use the slop in both mounting points to get the camber right on.

Cheers,

Bill

**WhiteXC70** · 05-12-2010, 06:19 PM

Tire rack does not have the best prices. They are actually the most expensive with the Pirelli STR.

**JayPinNC** · 05-12-2010, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by n00bkiller944

Why would you try to bargain with tire rack? they have the best prices I have seen anywhere. I really am not a fan of Pirelli's and am currently running firestone firehawk gt's and would recommend them to anyone! Plus you can't beat like 73 bucks per tire

You and your Firehawks, I tell ya.

Hey wait..I have a set too! They're great tires. I got mine super cheap - had a coupon from Firestone.

They look great, too.

**WhiteXC70** · 05-13-2010, 04:52 AM

Unfortunitly the Firestone firehawks do not come in the 17" size....

**lexefx** · 05-13-2010, 06:49 AM

Unfortunitly the Firestone firehawks do not come in the 17" size....

235/55/17 will work

Alex

**n00bkiller944** · 05-13-2010, 05:36 PM

^^^Where do you buy your tires from?!?! Share the wealth! lol

**JayPinNC** · 05-13-2010, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by n00bkiller944

^^^Where do you buy your tires from?!?! Share the wealth! lol

They send out decent coupons. What can I say.

**WhiteXC70** · 05-14-2010, 04:36 PM

Well, I called tire rack and they do not match or beat competitors prices. They talk about being the biggest and the best in service but the Pirelli's are $40 more a tire. How about that....

Starting to think about the Michelin Hydroedge. Only problem is that I live in the Northeast with the bad winters. Worried about that tire in the snow.

I want to stay with the 215/60/17 size.

Any other options friends ???